Tchuka Ruma

Tchuka Ruma, or more simply know as Ruma, is a strategy game from Indonesia. Similar to Mastermind, Ruma differs by being a single player game. Although it is simple in nature, players will find if fun and challenging. In this post we will show you how to make your own board and tell you the rules for this thought provoking game.

What you need for Ruma

You will need paper—we prefer card stock for durability—a ruler, marker and eight Bingo chips, coins or beads.

How to Make a Ruma Board

First, cut the paper in half length wise.

Second, measure out five lines or boxes. Next, label the boxes 1, 2, 3, 4 and Ruma. Now your board is ready to play.

Note: Not into DIY? Then you can download our Ruma board from our Fun Library here—it also comes with full instructions for the game.

Object

The object of the game is to get all the chips into the Ruma square.

How to Play Ruma

First, place two chips on each square except for the Ruma square.

Next, pick up the chips in any square. Then put them one by one in the next boxes. For example, if you pick up the chips in the 1 square, you will put one chip in the 2 square and one in the 3 square. If you pick up the chips in the 4 square you will put one chip in the Ruma square and one in the 1 square.

What happens next depends on where the last chip fell.

The first option is when the last chip lands in the Ruma square. When this happens, you can choose any square to start again at.

Option 2 is when the last chip lands in a square that already has one or more chips in it. When this happens, you pick up the chips in that square and place them in the next squares one by one just as in the first step.

Third is when the last chip falls in an empty square. This is bad as you lose the game.

Winning

When all the chips are in the Ruma square you have won the game.

Cheat Sheet

Only read this section when you have fit the max frustration with this game. The answer to the game is to start with square 3. Then pick up the 4 square. Next is 2 and then 3. Next is 4 and then 1. Four is next followed by 2. Then pick up from square 3. Last is square 4. This is the only solution to the game.

The Challenge of it All

Ruma is a game that will challenge the whole family. Easy to play but hard to master, this game will bond you as a family—and sneak some critical thinking and coding skills in too.

For more strategy games, read our reviews on Mastermind, Tsuro, and Blokus. And if you like the DIY aspect of this game, be sure to see our DIY section where you’ll find game like Hex, Lu-Lu dice and Pente. Don’t forget to download the Ruma board with the full instructions from the Fun Library, you can check out what’s in there too!